Hamill remembers first meeting with Johnson to talk about “The Last Jedi” and telling him, “I’m terrified,” to which Johnson responded, “So am I.” One of Hamill’s favorite things about watching the “Star Wars” prequels and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” he says, was that he wasn’t in them and didn’t have the pressure of seeing how his own work turned out. But “The Last Jedi” is another story. He plays a big role in the new film, but Hamill felt like he was in good hands with director Johnson. “He rocketed to the top of my all-time favorite directors,” said Hamill about working with the filmmaker. “I couldn’t have done it without him. He was my seeing-eye dog. And all I knew was, if Rian’s happy, I’m happy.”

When we were reintroduced to Hamill’s iconic character Luke Skywalker at the very end of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in 2015, “there is so much unsaid about where he’s been and what he’s done … There’s a lot of mystery about him even within [‘The Last Jedi’].” Hamill downplays his own importance in the new trilogy, but producer Kathleen Kennedy makes sure to note his false modesty: Skywalker is a big part of the new film, and Hamill has even garnered some early Oscar buzz for his performance.

But Hamill isn’t the only cast member feeling the pressure. Ridley, who plays up-and-coming Jedi Rey, called the experience of shooting “The Last Jedi” “nerve-racking. The first time around I didn’t quite know what I was doing and was just bumbling along … but coming back the second time I felt a certain responsibility and that I should know what I’m doing now but I kind of don’t. But luckily Rian’s writing is beautiful … and we had the best time.”

“It’s good to be back,” added Boyega, who plays storm trooper-turned-rebel fighter Finn. “He’s in recovery [after a grave injury in ‘The Force Awakens,’] but he will be back in ‘The Last Jedi,’ and he’s not playing this time.” One of the most memorable relationships from “The Force Awakens” was the friendship between Finn and rebel pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac). When asked if their relationship would continue to grow, Boyega said, “Absolutely. Poe’s my boy! There’s always a new adventure for us to go on.” Alas, he doesn’t confirm or deny whether Finn and Poe will become a romantic couple, as many online fans hope for after noting their chemistry in “The Force Awakens.”